FATA Reforms
FATA Reforms
Qaumi Jirga
The 2011 package also included reforms regarding the Qaumi Jirga, which says that the political agent
or district coordination officer may take knowledge of any offence or civil dispute in exceptional
situations, if so recommended by a Qaumi Jirga of the tribe in the interest of justice and public peace
(The Tribal Times, 2013).
The 2011 reforms do not, however, transfer any of the political agents judicial powers to the Qaumi
Jirga. Rather, it recommends the political agent to take into consideration any of the recommendations
or suggestions of the tribes in a particular dispute.
Yousafzai, Naeemullah, television host. Interview by author, Peshawar, December 27th 2013.
Ibid.
Marjan, Malik Khan, chief patron, FATA Grand Alliance. Interview by author, Peshawar, January 4th 2014.
Khan, Raza Shah, Executive Director, Sustainable Peace and Development Organization (SPDO). Interview
by author, Islamabad, January 3rd 2014.
4
Wazir, Ajmal Khan, senior vice president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Q. Interview by author, January 5th
2014.
6
Daraz, Umer, correspondent for Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty. Interview by author, January 5th 2014.
Khan, Muhammad Nazir, Member National Assembly (MNA) from North Waziristan Agency. Interview by
author, January 5th 2014.
8
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
only has a limited role in channeling funds to FATA. It also has virtually no role in policy
formulation and implementation. Therefore, it is recommended that necessary steps should be
taken to allow the ministry to play its due role in the affairs of the tribal belt.
The system which is currently in vogue is not based on the principle of separation of power. It
bestows enormous powers on the political agent, which are often abused. He acts as an executive
officer, as a magistrate and also as a revenue officer. These powers need to be separated to make
the system more accountable and responsive.
The decision-making process for development activities is too centralized. The public needs to be
involved in the process, so that the locals have ownership of the decisions. Moreover, the audit
mechanism for the funds utilized by the political agent must be strengthened.
In 2004, the government established the Agency Councils as local government institutions in the
region to facilitate the participation of people in governance and development schemes. However,
political agents were made the chairmen of these councils, making a mockery of the whole process.
The previous arrangement should be reviewed and local bodies elections held in FATA under the
Revised Local Bodies Act.
The National Accountability Bureau Ordinance should be extended to FATA and accountability
through elected representatives of the area should be instituted.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) laws should be extended to the
tribal region so that access to information, which is the basic democratic right of all citizens, is
ensured.
In order to attract investment, the ambit of laws such as the 1984 Companies Ordinance should be
extended to FATA.
An elected body or FATA council should be set up on the basis of adult franchise. It should be
given the power to spend development funds and oversee the affairs of the FATA Secretariat.
There is an urgent need to improve the education system in FATA. The practice of awarding
schools to tribal elders as a bribe must be stopped forthwith.
The Levies force needs to be reformed and organized at the FATA level. The FATA Secretariat
should control it.
In order to mainstream FATA, a package on the pattern of the 2010 Balochistan package should be
extended to it.
The quotas in job as well as the share in different educational institutions for FATA residents
should be increased.
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wp25th.